The majestic facade of the Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet speaks for itself. It was built in 1806 and designed by famous French architect Louis Thibault as a “Drostdy” or magistrate’s court. Initially restored to its former splendour in 1977, it has recently undergone a multi-million rand refurbishment, making it a thoroughly 21st-century hotel.
Accommodation is provided in 48 beautifully styled rooms in clusters of historic outbuildings. The rooms in Stretch’s Court are housed in old slave cottages on either side of a 19th Century cobbled road, with Victorian street lamps and flanked by pastel-coloured doorways. The other accommodation areas, Ferreira precinct and Kromm’s Court, also have their own pool areas and particular style. All rooms are air-conditioned, with underfloor heating in the en-suite bathrooms. Luxury touches include complimentary Nespresso-style pod coffee, herbal teas and biscuits in the room, 24-hour room service, a fully stocked personal mini bar in all rooms, bathrobes and slippers and luxury bathroom amenities. There is complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel.
Other facilities at the hotel include a superb in-house restaurant, De Cambdeboo, which specializes in Karoo cuisine. There is a bar, a gym, an Africology spa, an art gallery, a wine shop and a wine cellar. There is also a classic cigar lounge where you can escape into the Old Karoo with some carefully-curated local literature and a cognac.
